Alena Murang Wins Silver at Global Music Awards

KUALA LUMPUR, AUGUST 2026 — Sarawakian singer-songwriter, visual artist and cultural advocate Alena Murang has received a Silver Medal for Outstanding Achievement at the internationally recognised Global Music Awards for her original Kelabit-language song, Sekunuh Kamih.

The Global Music Awards honours outstanding independent musicians from around the world, recognising works that demonstrate exceptional creativity, artistic excellence and cultural impact across a wide range of musical genres.

Sekunuh Kamih, which translates to “Our Stories” in the Kelabit language, is a deeply personal composition celebrating Indigenous identity, ancestral wisdom and the importance of preserving oral traditions for future generations.

The song blends the distinctive sounds of the traditional sape’ with contemporary music production, creating a soundscape inspired by the rainforests of Borneo while exploring universal themes of belonging, memory and cultural resilience.

One of the track’s most unique elements is its inclusion of voices spanning three generations of the Kelabit community.

The recording opens with a cassette tape from the 1980s featuring Murang’s father asking his uncle, “Who told you this story?” The elder responds, “The elders did, a long time ago,” reinforcing the importance of passing knowledge from one generation to the next.

The song also features the voice of Murang’s grandaunt narrating an ancient Kelabit epic about two warriors, further strengthening its message of safeguarding Indigenous history and storytelling traditions.

Sekunuh Kamih was produced by award-winning Malaysian music director, producer and multi-instrumentalist Melina William, who also has Orang Ulu heritage.

The collaboration combines traditional Indigenous musical elements with modern production techniques while remaining faithful to the cultural roots of the composition.

Speaking about the recognition, Alena said the award represents more than a personal achievement.

She described it as an opportunity to shine an international spotlight on the languages, stories and living traditions of Sarawak’s Indigenous communities.

According to her, the recognition demonstrates that local heritage can resonate with audiences around the world without sacrificing its authenticity.

Alena has become one of Malaysia’s leading advocates for Indigenous music and culture.

Known as one of the first women to professionally perform the sape’, she has represented Malaysia at international festivals across Europe, North America, Australia and Asia while promoting endangered Kelabit and Kenyah languages through music.

Her work consistently combines traditional storytelling with contemporary artistic expression, helping introduce Borneo’s rich cultural heritage to global audiences.

Beyond music, she is also recognised for her work as a visual artist, educator and cultural ambassador dedicated to preserving Indigenous knowledge.

The latest Silver Medal adds another milestone to Alena’s growing list of international achievements and reinforces Malaysia’s presence on the global world music scene.

The recognition also highlights the increasing appreciation for Indigenous languages and traditional musical heritage within international creative industries.